In Court, It Is a Split Decision for Joan Collins

NEW YORK — The court fight over Joan Collins’ two steamy novels ended in a split decision Tuesday. A jury found she had finished one book for publisher Random House but failed to deliver the second.

The ruling means the former “Dynasty” star should receive more money from the two-book, $4-million deal she signed in 1990.

Random House had rejected two of her manuscripts and sued for return of a $1.3-million advance. Collins countersued for the rest of the $4 million.

Collins, 62, sat forward and smiled after the jury said she had fulfilled half of the contract. The verdict was reached after about two hours of deliberation.

Outside the courtroom, Collins pumped her fist in the air and said she was working on another book, a second autobiography.

“I’m happy. It ended two years of absolute hell,” she said, adding that any money she gets might have to go to legal fees.

* EARLIER STORY: E4